Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday (Nov 29) dubbed the cancellation of his meeting with British counterpart Rishi Sunak over the Parthenon marbles as an "unfortunate event". However, he stated that this would not affect the relations between Greece and Britain in the long run.

In a meeting with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, Mitsotakis, reflecting on the "positive side" of the issue said that it gave him the opportunity to further underline Greece’s request for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures.

He then said that the Greek-British relations have had a deep, significant, history.&nbsp;

“I returned yesterday from London. Just two words about the unfortunate event of the cancellation of my programmed meeting with my British counterpart. My first observation is that I believe it will not affect Greek-British relations in the long run, which are already relations that have a deep, significant, history," Mitsotakis said.&nbsp;

"And secondly, the cancellation of this meeting had a positive side, in that the fair request by Greece for the re-unification of the Parthenon marbles gained even greater publicity, not only in the United Kingdom but also in global public opinion,” he added.

Sakellaropoulou said the re-unification of the marbles had uncovered recognition in British as well as international public opinion, however, she said that some issues could not be solved ‘automatically’ and required time.

“We all followed the developments in London, what I find significant is that the Parthenon is a symbol not only of the Classical period but is also important for global cultural heritage, as the symbol of democracy and philosophy," she said.&nbsp;

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Thus the re-unification of the marbles, which is a request by our country that goes back perhaps as early as the creation of the state - but of course the last years it has progressed - has found recognition and understanding from public opinion, international public opinion, British public opinion, and that may be the great profit, because there are some issues that cannot be solved automatically, they need their time. With that in mind we can hope that the just request of our country will find a response quickly,” she further added.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cancelled his Tuesday's meeting with Mitsotakis after his office released a statement saying that both sides had previously decided that it should not be used as a public platform "to relitigate long, long settled matters."

"It's simply the case that if assurances are given and they're not adhered to, there are consequences for that," Sunak's spokesman told reporters.

Greece has repeatedly urged the British Museum to send back the 2,500-year-old sculptures that were removed by British diplomat Lord Elgin from the Parthenon temple in the early 19th century. During this period, Greece was under Ottoman Turkish rule.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-what-is-parthenon-sculptures-row-triggered-between-united-kingdom-and-greece-663622">Explained: The Parthenon Sculptures row between United Kingdom and Greece</a>

<h2>Greek PM expresses displeasure&nbsp;</h2>

After Sunak called off the meeting, Mitsotakis expressed his "displeasure" and also declined the UK's offer to meet Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden instead to discuss the issues.

"I would like to express my displeasure at the British Prime Minister's cancellation of our meeting just a few hours before it was due to take place," the Greek leader said in a brief statement.&nbsp;

A Downing Street spokesperson said "The UK-Greece relationship is hugely important", citing joint work within NATO and "tackling shared challenges like illegal migration" and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

"The deputy prime minister was available to meet with the Greek PM to discuss these important issues," the spokesperson added, without referencing the marbles issue. 
&nbsp; 
Mitsotakis lamented, "Greece's position on the issue of the Parthenon friezes is well known. I had hoped to have the opportunity to discuss them with my British counterpart".

"Those who believe in the rightness and validity of their positions are never afraid to confront the arguments," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday (Nov 29) dubbed the cancellation of his meeting with British counterpart Rishi Sunak over the Parthenon marbles as an "unfortunate event".

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday (Nov 29) dubbed the cancellation of his meeting with British counterpart Rishi Sunak over the Parthenon marbles as an "unfortunate event". However, he stated that this would not affect the relations between Greece and Britain in the long run. In a meeting with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, Mitsotakis, reflecting on the "positive side" of the issue said that it gave him the opportunity to further underline Greece’s request for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures. He then said that the Greek-British relations have had a deep, significant, history. “I returned yesterday from London. Just two words about the unfortunate event of the cancellation of my programmed meeting with my British counterpart. My first observation is that I believe it will not affect Greek-British relations in the long run, which are already relations that have a deep, significant, history," Mitsotakis said. "And secondly, the cancellation of this meeting had a positive side, in that the fair request by Greece for the re-unification of the Parthenon marbles gained even greater publicity, not only in the United Kingdom but also in global public opinion,” he added. Sakellaropoulou said the re-unification of the marbles had uncovered recognition in British as well as international public opinion, however, she said that some issues could not be solved ‘automatically’ and required time. “We all followed the developments in London, what I find significant is that the Parthenon is a symbol not only of the Classical period but is also important for global cultural heritage, as the symbol of democracy and philosophy," she said. Also read: Finland, youngest NATO ally, seals all it border crossings with Russia Thus the re-unification of the marbles, which is a request by our country that goes back perhaps as early as the creation of the state - but of course the last years it has progressed - has found recognition and understanding from public opinion, international public opinion, British public opinion, and that may be the great profit, because there are some issues that cannot be solved automatically, they need their time. With that in mind we can hope that the just request of our country will find a response quickly,” she further added. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cancelled his Tuesday's meeting with Mitsotakis after his office released a statement saying that both sides had previously decided that it should not be used as a public platform "to relitigate long, long settled matters." "It's simply the case that if assurances are given and they're not adhered to, there are consequences for that," Sunak's spokesman told reporters. Greece has repeatedly urged the British Museum to send back the 2,500-year-old sculptures that were removed by British diplomat Lord Elgin from the Parthenon temple in the early 19th century. During this period, Greece was under Ottoman Turkish rule. Also read: Explained: The Parthenon Sculptures row between United Kingdom and Greece Greek PM expresses displeasure After Sunak called off the meeting, Mitsotakis expressed his "displeasure" and also declined the UK's offer to meet Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden instead to discuss the issues. "I would like to express my displeasure at the British Prime Minister's cancellation of our meeting just a few hours before it was due to take place," the Greek leader said in a brief statement. A Downing Street spokesperson said "The UK-Greece relationship is hugely important", citing joint work within NATO and "tackling shared challenges like illegal migration" and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. "The deputy prime minister was available to meet with the Greek PM to discuss these important issues," the spokesperson added, without referencing the marbles issue. Mitsotakis lamented, "Greece's position on the issue of the Parthenon friezes is well known. I had hoped to have the opportunity to discuss them with my British counterpart". "Those who believe in the rightness and validity of their positions are never afraid to confront the arguments," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Mitsotakis says cancellation of meeting with Sunak will not affect Greece-Britain relations

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that the country's worst-ever rail disaster, in which 43 people died, was a result of "tragic human error".

The prime minister gave the statement after he visited the accident site where a freight train and a passenger train had a head-on collision on Tuesday night.

"Everything shows that the drama was, sadly, mainly due to a tragic human error," said PM Mitsotakis, in a televised address. He called the collision of trains “a horrific rail accident without precedent in our country,” and pledged to carry out a full, independent investigation.

PM Mitsotakis said that the government must provide aid to the injured and help in identifying the dead. “I can guarantee one thing: We will find out the causes of this tragedy, and we will do all that’s in our power so that something like this never happens again,” said Mitsotakis.

"Justice will do its job. People will be held accountable, while the state will be on the side of the people,” he added.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-we-heard-a-big-bang-greece-train-crash-leaves-a-trail-of-destruction-and-chaos-567085">In pics | 'We heard a big bang': Greece train crash leaves a trail of destruction and chaos</a>

Transport minister resigns, stationmaster arrested

The stationmaster at the last stop of the train in Larissa was arrested by authorities and charged with manslaughter. The officials did not release the name of the man or the exact reason for his arrest, however, the stationmaster is being held responsible for rail traffic on the tracks in that particular stretch.

On Thursday, the stationmaster will appear before a prosecutor and explain how the passenger train received permission to run on the line on which a freight train was running from the other side.

However, the stationmaster has denied any wrongdoing and is blaming the tragic accident on a possible technical failure.

Meanwhile, Greek Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis submitted his resignation. Announcing his decision of stepping down from his position, the transport minister said, "When something so tragic happens, it is impossible to continue and pretend it didn't happen."

Protests and strikes

On Wednesday evening, people protested at the Thessaloniki train station and outside the offices of the railway's Italian operating company, Hellenic Train, in Athens where rocks were thrown by people at the police and building.

A silent vigil was held by demonstrators in Larissa and white roses were brought to make the word Tempe, which is the name of the valley where the accident took place.

A 24-hour strike was announced by the union representing train workers for Thursday, while left-wing groups' members protested in Athens. A 24-hour strike was also called by Athens metro workers who claimed that they faced similar problems as railway employees.

WATCH | Train crash in Greece - at least 36 killed in head-on collision

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Rescue efforts continue

Cranes and other heavy machinery were used by emergency workers to move large pieces of the collided trains to take out more bodies and body parts.

“It’s unlikely there will be survivors, but hope dies last,” said rescuer Nikos Zygouris.

Larissa’s chief coroner, Roubini Leondari said that she has been handed over 43 bodies for examination and they would need DNA identification as most of them were largely disfigured. “Most (of the bodies) are young people. They are in very bad condition,” she said.

The rescuers present at the accident site said that they have not dealt with a disaster of this magnitude before. Many charred bodies could not be recognised and few passengers were identified through their body parts.

"I've never seen anything like this in my entire life," said a rescue worker. Many people are still missing, which includes two Cyprus nationals.

The police said that they have collected 17 biological samples from remains which will be matched with 23 relatives.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that the country's worst-ever rail disaster, in which 43 people died, was a result of "tragic human error". The prime minister gave the statement after he visited the accident site where a freight train and a passenger train had a head-on collision on Tuesday night.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that the country's worst-ever rail disaster, in which 43 people died, was a result of "tragic human error". The prime minister gave the statement after he visited the accident site where a freight train and a passenger train had a head-on collision on Tuesday night. "Everything shows that the drama was, sadly, mainly due to a tragic human error," said PM Mitsotakis, in a televised address. He called the collision of trains “a horrific rail accident without precedent in our country,” and pledged to carry out a full, independent investigation. PM Mitsotakis said that the government must provide aid to the injured and help in identifying the dead. “I can guarantee one thing: We will find out the causes of this tragedy, and we will do all that’s in our power so that something like this never happens again,” said Mitsotakis. "Justice will do its job. People will be held accountable, while the state will be on the side of the people,” he added. ALSO READ | In pics | 'We heard a big bang': Greece train crash leaves a trail of destruction and chaos Transport minister resigns, stationmaster arrested The stationmaster at the last stop of the train in Larissa was arrested by authorities and charged with manslaughter. The officials did not release the name of the man or the exact reason for his arrest, however, the stationmaster is being held responsible for rail traffic on the tracks in that particular stretch. On Thursday, the stationmaster will appear before a prosecutor and explain how the passenger train received permission to run on the line on which a freight train was running from the other side. However, the stationmaster has denied any wrongdoing and is blaming the tragic accident on a possible technical failure. Meanwhile, Greek Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis submitted his resignation. Announcing his decision of stepping down from his position, the transport minister said, "When something so tragic happens, it is impossible to continue and pretend it didn't happen." Protests and strikes On Wednesday evening, people protested at the Thessaloniki train station and outside the offices of the railway's Italian operating company, Hellenic Train, in Athens where rocks were thrown by people at the police and building. A silent vigil was held by demonstrators in Larissa and white roses were brought to make the word Tempe, which is the name of the valley where the accident took place. A 24-hour strike was announced by the union representing train workers for Thursday, while left-wing groups' members protested in Athens. A 24-hour strike was also called by Athens metro workers who claimed that they faced similar problems as railway employees. WATCH | Train crash in Greece - at least 36 killed in head-on collision Rescue efforts continue Cranes and other heavy machinery were used by emergency workers to move large pieces of the collided trains to take out more bodies and body parts. “It’s unlikely there will be survivors, but hope dies last,” said rescuer Nikos Zygouris. Larissa’s chief coroner, Roubini Leondari said that she has been handed over 43 bodies for examination and they would need DNA identification as most of them were largely disfigured. “Most (of the bodies) are young people. They are in very bad condition,” she said. The rescuers present at the accident site said that they have not dealt with a disaster of this magnitude before. Many charred bodies could not be recognised and few passengers were identified through their body parts. "I've never seen anything like this in my entire life," said a rescue worker. Many people are still missing, which includes two Cyprus nationals. The police said that they have collected 17 biological samples from remains which will be matched with 23 relatives. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Greece train collision due to 'tragic human error', claims Greek PM Mitsotakis

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Mitsotakis says cancellation of meeting with Sunak will not affect Greece-Britain relations

Greece train collision due to 'tragic human error', claims Greek PM Mitsotakis